SETTLING NORTH AMERICA 1497 1732
NEW FRANCE
|
Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
|
|
|
French men who had first contact with the First Nations
|
|
|
French men
|
|
|
Travelers who were paddlers of the great trading canoes.
|
|
|
None of the above
|
Detailed explanation-1: -"Voyageur", the French word for traveler, refers to the contracted employees who worked as canoe paddlers, bundle carriers, and general laborers for fur trading firms from the 1690s until the 1850s. This is why voyageurs were also known as “engagés", a loose French expression translated as “employees".
Detailed explanation-2: -Voyageurs were independent contractors, workers or minor partners in companies involved in the fur trade. They were licensed to transport goods to trading posts and were usually forbidden to do any trading of their own. The fur trade changed over the years, as did the groups of men working in it.
Detailed explanation-3: -Not only did the voyageurs paddle their canoes with a crew of four to six, but they would also portage their cargo. North Canoes had the capacity to carry up to 3500 pounds including 25 to 30 bales of goods. The voyageurs were expected to portage two bales each time they walked the portage route.
Detailed explanation-4: -After sustained contact with Europeans, voyageurs used birchbark canoes to explore and trade in the interior of the country, and to connect fur trade supply lines with central posts, notably Montreal.